Boston Brick & Stone - August 2018

Boston Brick & Stone - August 2018

THE MASONRY MONTHLY

2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com | August 2018

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FESTIVAL

August's Bucket-List Events

August may be devoid of any major U.S. holidays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t events worth celebrating during the eighth month of the year. Perhaps owing to its location on the calendar, right at the peak of summer, August plays host to some of America’s most unique festivals and events. No matter where you are on the map, there’s something remarkable going on this month in or near your neck of the woods. Here are a few of the August’s bucket-list events. Maine Lobster Festival August 1-5 Rockland, Maine For much of American history, lobsters were considered the “cockroaches of the sea” and awarded no culinary prestige. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, their reputation as a delicacy began to grow. Diners in Boston and New York helped raise the prestige of Maine lobsters, which are now as prized as truffles from Piedmont and bluefin tuna from Japan. It’s no surprise, then, that Maine lobsters have an entire festival devoted to them. During the first weekend in August, upward of 30,000 seafood fanatics from all over the country head to Rockland, Maine, to dine on the country’s most famous crustaceans. In addition to lobster in every form imaginable — grilled, boiled, served in bisques, and heaped on buns — the Maine Lobster Festival features local art, music, and games for kids. It also crowns a “sea goddess” during its yearly pageant. Oh, and if you want to burn off some calories, there’s a 5K and 10K race during the festival. bigger than the 127 Yard Sale. Billing itself as “the world’s longest yard sale,” it features more than 2,200 vendors from the Midwest to the Deep South, all clustered along 690 miles of Highway 127. It passes through six states and features an uncountable number of treasures just waiting to be discovered. Because of its vast nature, the 127 Yard Sale offers travelers the chance to combine two of America’s most storied pastimes: road trips and bargain hunting. There are plenty of scenic destinations to stop and admire between looking for antiques, collectibles, and everything else you could imagine. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t miss an episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” you might mistake the 127 Yard Sale for paradise. 127 Yard Sale August 2-5 Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama Summer is yard-sale season, and they don’t come any

The 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 3-12 Sturgis, South Dakota

Even if you only have the most passing interest in motorcycles, odds are you’ve heard of Sturgis. The country’s most famous motorcycle rally attracts more

than a half-million visitors every year, all eager to show off their bikes, rev their engines, and have some fun. Since its inception in 1938, the 10-day rally has become a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts of all stripes. The centerpiece events of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are the rides themselves, which include trips around Devils Tower, Bear Butte, and Deadwood. There are also rally races and hill climbs. Hop off your bike to take in the concerts, enjoy some street food, and participate in the tattoo and beard contests. Bike lovers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Sturgis, so you can bet you’ll see some jaw-droppingly cool rides, from pristine vintage bikes to one-of-a-kind custom creations. With an annual attendance of 300,000, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has grown to be the country’s largest Renaissance fair. Technology may not be advanced enough to actually transport you back to the 16th century, but you’d never know it from the sights, sounds, and smells of the fairgrounds. Get dressed up in your fanciest lord or lady outfit, enjoy some jousting, and shop for artisanal products made by local craftspeople. Each weekend during the festival, you can also enjoy themed events. This year, for example, August 18 and 19 will host the “Buccaneer Beer Bash,” while September 8 and 9 will feature “Shamrocks and Shenanigans.” Whether you love Shakespeare, mead, or “Game of Thrones,” you’ll find something to interest you at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The next time somebody tells you, “There’s nothing happening in August,” direct them to one of these or many other festivals and events. You don’t need a federal holiday to have a reason to mark your calendars. Minnesota Renaissance Festival Weekends, August 18-September 30 Shakopee, Minnesota

-Dave Laverdiere

www.bostonbrick.com |

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A Helping Hand

Why Business Leaders Need to Ask for Help

“Can you give me a hand?”

If you struggle to ask others for help when you need it,

Asking for help is a simple request. Most people do it every day, whether they’re getting a second opinion on a paint color or asking a stranger to hold the elevator. Asking for help is important; the ability to work as a team is one of mankind’s greatest strengths. But if the act of asking for help is so essential in our lives, why do entrepreneurs have such a hard time with it? This struggle often comes from pride, the idea that if you admit you can’t do it all, then you can’t do anything. But this mindset often leads to ruin. In a survey by 99 Design, most entrepreneurs claimed the worst mistake they ever made wasn’t a poor financial decision or bad planning — it was simply not asking for help early in their careers. Having to ask for help isn’t a sign that you’re unable to achieve what you set out to do. In fact, when you ask for help in business, you may find you’re able to achieve more . This is because asking for help is a form of networking. You’re actively reaching out to experts, learning how other people solve problems, and broadening the awareness of your name and brand at the same time.

“Boston Brick rebuilt the firebox in our fireplace and made some repairs to the chimney. During the job, they took care to minimize the mess they created. They cleaned up carefully afterward. All their dealings with us were polite and professional. The work itself looks solid. I would use them again.” –D.H.B. Rock-Solid Reviews start by changing your mindset. You don’t have to do it all; you’re just one person, and sometimes one person needs to delegate tasks to others to get more done. Asking for help is also easier when you know what you want to ask for. If you are overwhelmed by a big project, take a moment to write down your goals for that project, along with a list of action steps and resources needed to get there. Then think about who you can reach out to in order to tackle these steps. If you’re still uncomfortable with asking for help, make a point of helping others when you can. Being helpful changes the way you perceive receiving help and builds a positive reputation with others. When you are viewed as being helpful, other people want to help you in return. Asking for help means admitting you can’t do it all alone. But why should you have to? Doing it all alone can be pretty lonely, and asking for help means you have a team to support you wherever you go.

CHIMNEY

•Inspection •Restoration and repair •Construction •Sweeping

FIREPLACE

•Inspection, restoration, or repair of an existing structure •Installation or reconstruction of new structures

HARDSCAPE

•Backyard patios •Outdoor kitchens and barbecues •Outdoor steps, walkways, and paths •Retaining walls •Outdoor fireplaces •Driveways

HISTORICAL RESTORATION Our previous restoration work includes the following:

•Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim •Repair and restoration of chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim •Historical chimney restoration for the lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park •Faithful restoration of the chimneys on the Nottingham and Arden properties in Beverly Hills

BRICK RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION

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FIND RENEWED BEAUT Y IN OLD BRICK

The Types of Brick Restoration

Over time, brickwork deteriorates. It’s the nature of this popular and elegant material. When it does, it not only looks unpleasant to the eye, but it can eventually lead to structural issues. This is why it’s so important to have bricks and masonry repaired before damage becomes a much bigger problem. Restoring brickwork is important in order to maintain the overall appearance of the home, building, or other brick facade. It’s a process that is more challenging than it seems. It’s crucial to restore the damaged brickwork while ensuring the restoration matches existing brickwork. The process requires a lot of control, patience, and determination.

heavy windstorms, or broken pipes. Generally, this is the kind of repair that requires the removal of all or a portion of the structure, while carefully preserving the bricks. The preserved brick is blended with stock-used brick and part of the new brick to create an original and cohesive appearance. Tuckpointing: This process is used when the mortar is crumbling, gaps have formed, or the bricks have shifted or gone missing. For this method, the color of the new mortar must be matched as closely as possible to the old mortar. The final result is a beautifully restored brick structure that looks as good — if not better — than when it was originally constructed. These processes highlight why it’s so important to work with restoration professionals who understand how to properly restore brickwork. When not done correctly, the work will be highly visible, like a scar across the home or building. To learn more about brick restoration, be sure to give Boston Brick & Stone a call or get in touch with us online.

There are two primary types of brick restoration offered by Boston Brick & Stone:

Broken Brick Structure Repair: This process is used to repair any broken brick structure. This method of repair is used when bricks have been broken by tree roots, branches,

MEME CORNER

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced • 4 sprigs thyme

• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Cut cauliflower into florets. On a large baking sheet, toss cauliflower with onions, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Roast for 35–40 minutes, tossing occasionally. 4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and finish roasting, about 10 minutes longer. 5. Serve while hot.

Inspired by epicurious.com

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SERVING THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com

INSIDE

page 1

August Festivals Throughout the US

page 2

Why Is It Hard to Ask for Help?

page 2

Rock-Solid Reviews

page 3

The Best Ways to Restore Old Brickwork

page 3

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

page 4

The Best End-of-Summer Activity

Journey to The Great Backyard Finish the Summer With a Family Camping ‘Trip’

Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip. Pack for an authentic experience. Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning!

bought fire pit. If you have enough room in your backyard,

you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert-advice/campfire- basics.html . Remember: It’s okay to call it a night. For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime.

Figure out the campfire. Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-

The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.

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